Orlando Magic Playbook: How the Orlando Magic finish games

Options and variations

Here is another play where the first option works.

The Magic again are down two points and trying to get Fournier the ball. That is a good thing, right? Fournier is the Magic’s best creator. And with plenty of time, they can run the clock down or run a pick and roll to get him a good shot (more on that later, because Green makes the right play here).

Green runs off the Nikola Vucevic screen to pop open at the elbow to get the inbounds. This is what you want in an inbounds play, a player coming to the ball and presenting himself open and big. Fournier has a good target and inbounds the ball. If Green did not pop open at the elbow, D.J. Augustin was coming free to the top of the key. From there, Fournier likely makes the same move and cuts toward D.J. Augustin to receive the ball.

Once Fournier inbounds the ball, he immediately moves toward Green for a dribble hand off. This is a quasi-pick and roll, but is really used to create space for Fournier to receive the ball, pause and reset the play. Green can cut to the right corner to spread the floor. Augustin could creep over to the far left wing and Serge Ibaka in the corner to bring Nikola Vucevic up for a pick and roll.

The Magic, after all, are down two with the shot clock off. Reason would dictate a team run the clock out here for the last shot.

That is not what happens here. Green makes a really heady read (one that Aaron Gordon probably does not make yet — being a veteran has its value).

As Fournier comes across to receive the handoff, Green notices two things. One, Josh Richardson is doing a good job chasing Fournier, making the handoff tougher than normal. This is the kind of moment where a play for the Magic blows up and now the Magic are rushing to get back into their play (keep reading…).

The other thing he notices is Tyler Johnson is hedging a bit too much toward Fournier. He certainly is not expecting Green to make a sudden attack at the basket. As the handoff fails, Green turns and sees the lane.

The turn and drive to the basket are very quick. It catches Johnson off guard and he has to scramble to return, committing the foul. Green hits both free throws and the Magic force a second overtime.

This is a play that really only has one or two options. But the Magic are able to make the read to determine which way to go with it and how to play. Green makes his move quickly here. He does not wait or try to force the ball back to Fournier. When it is clear he will not make the pass to Fournier, he turns and attacks.

That is the play. And he executed it seamlessly, reading the option and making the play.

Late-game plays are all about execution. Can you run the play, make the right read and run through the progression and options to create a good shot.

The Magic know all too well how that can go wrong when a player is not decisive late in the game.